U.S. patent number 4,433,439 [Application Number 06/393,581] was granted by the patent office on 1984-02-28 for heat resistant protective hand covering.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Richard P. Tschirch, The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the. Invention is credited to Irving J. Arons, Kenneth R. Sidman.
United States Patent |
4,433,439 |
Sidman , et al. |
February 28, 1984 |
**Please see images for:
( Certificate of Correction ) ** |
Heat resistant protective hand covering
Abstract
A heat-resistant protective glove having first and second shells
which generally define the palm side and backside of the glove,
respectively, each of the shell sections being made of a
temperature-resistant aromatic polyamide fiber, the first shell
section being a twill weave, the second shell section being a
knitted fabric, a first liner section having a flame-resistant,
elastomeric coating on a surface contiguous the inner surface of
the first shell section, and a second liner section inwardly of the
second shell section, the first and second liner sections generally
conforming to the configuration of the first and second shell
sections, respectively, both of the first and second liner sections
being comprised of a felt fabric of a temperature-resistant
aromatic polyamide fiber.
Inventors: |
Sidman; Kenneth R. (Wayland,
MA), Arons; Irving J. (Peabody, MA) |
Assignee: |
The United States of America as
represented by the Administrator of the (Washington, DC)
Tschirch; Richard P. (Westwood) N/A)
|
Family
ID: |
23555328 |
Appl.
No.: |
06/393,581 |
Filed: |
June 30, 1982 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
2/16; 2/161.6;
2/167 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A41D
19/01529 (20130101); A41D 2300/50 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
A41D
19/015 (20060101); A41D 019/00 () |
Field of
Search: |
;2/158,159,161R,167,168 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Rimrodt; Louis
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Fein; Edward K. Manning; John R.
Matthews; Marvin F.
Government Interests
Origin of the Invention
The invention described herein was made in the performance of work
under a NASA contract and is subject to the provisions of Section
305 of the National Aeronautics and Space Act of 1958, Public Law
85-568 (72 Stat 435, 42 U.S.C. 2457).
Claims
We claim:
1. A heat-resistant protective glove comprising:
a first shell section generally defining the palm side of said
glove and having inner and outer surfaces, said first shell section
comprising a twill weave fabric of a temperature-resistant aromatic
polyamide fiber;
a second shell section generally defining the backside of said
glove and having inner and outer surfaces, said second shell
section comprising a knitted fabric of a temperature-resistant
aromatic polyamide fiber, said first and second shell sections
being secured to one another so as to provide an opening for
insertion of a wearer's hand;
a first liner section secured to said first shell section and
having first and second surfaces, said first surface of said first
liner section facing and generally overlying said inner surface of
said first shell section, said first liner section comprising a
felt fabric of a temperature-resistant aromatic polyamide fiber
having a flame resistant, elastomeric coating on said first liner
surface; and
a second liner section secured to said second shell section and
having first and second surfaces, said first surface of said second
liner section facing and generally overlying said inner surface of
said second shell section, said second liner section comprising a
felt fabric of a temperature-resistant aromatic polyamide
fiber.
2. The glove of claim 1 wherein said aromatic polyamide fiber
comprises Kevlar.
3. The glove of claim 1 wherein said elastomeric coating comprises
neoprene.
4. The glove of claim 3 wherein said coating is in the range of
from about 4 to about 5 mils in thickness.
5. The glove of claim 1 wherein said first and second shell
sections are secured to one another using thread formed from a
temperature-resistant aromatic polyamide fiber.
6. The glove of claim 1 further including a generally tubular
wristlet having one end secured to said first and second shell
sections and in generally encircling relation to said opening for
insertion of said hand.
7. The glove of claim 1 wherein said inner surface of said first
shell section is napped.
8. The glove of claim 1 wherein said inner surface of said second
shell section is napped.
9. The glove of claim 1 wherein said twill weave fabric of said
first shell section has a weight per unit square area of 8
oz./sq.yd.
10. The glove of claim 1 wherein said knitted fabric of said second
shell section has a weight per unit square area of 7 oz./sq.yd.
11. The glove of claim 1 wherein said fabric of said first and
second liner sections has a weight per unit square area of 3.5
oz./sq.yd.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to protective hand coverings such as
gloves, mitts and the like and, more particularly, to gloves that
provide improved levels of protection against cutting, puncturing
or burning of the hands of the wearer.
Fireman, foundry workers, workers who work around furnaces or
similar industrial installation are necessarily exposed to handling
hot objects or direct exposure to flame or a high degree of heat
which can quickly cause severe burns. In particular, fire fighters
are continually exposed to a variety of hazards capable of causing
substantial injury. Cuts, lacerations, and punctures result from
contacts with broken glass, sharp metal and plastic objects, nail
and wood splinters encountered in nearly all structural fires.
Burns, whether from radiant thermal energy, hot objects or open
flame, can occur in any fire. In addition, fire fighters can be
exposed to electricity and hazardous liquids while fighting
structural fires. All of these hazards are often obscured by poor
lighting or smoke and, therefore, become even more dangerous.
Hazardous conditions are compounded by debris, soot, and water or
other extinguishing agents that normally cover and permeate
everything at and adjacent to a fire scene, including the fire
fighters. Consequently, discomfort can be severe, adding to both
fire fighter's stress and reduced alertness. These conditions
contribute to fire fighters' susceptibility to injury by fire-scene
hazards.
Accordingly, suitable protective garments, including gloves, are
absolutely necessary to protect the fire fighter from severe injury
in the performance of his duty. Such gloves must be fire and
heat-resistant, resistant to cuts and punctures and not adversely
affect comfort and dexterity.
2. Description of the Prior Art
The prior art, as exemplified by U.S. Pat. Nos. 1,730,763,
2,304,137, 2,650,365, 3,883,898, 4,004,295 and 4,302,851 all
disclose various types of heat, flame and/or cut and puncture
resistant gloves made of various materials.
U.S. Pat. No. 1,730,763 to Gerding discloses a protective glove for
use against fire comprising an outer layer of woven or knitted
asbestos fabric and an inner layer made of various materials such
as cotton, wool, leather or any woven or knitted fabric having more
cohesiveness or tensile strength than asbestos.
U.S. Pat. No. 2,304,137 to Peakes discloses a protective glove
comprising an inner glove which is made of a layer of cotton
fabric, balloon cloth or the like, coated with a viscous rubber
layer, the inner glove being inserted into an outer wear resistant
glove of any suitable type such as cotton fabric.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,302,851 to Adair discloses a high temperature
protective mitt or glove of which the main outer layer is made of
woven Kevlar fibers, the main outer layer also having a lining made
of a layer of wool knit fabric.
While the prior art discussed above has, to some extent, overcome
some of the difficulties in providing effective, protective hand
apparel for fire fighters and the like, the need to constantly
improve such apparel is readily apparent.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is therfore an object of the present invention to provide
protective hand apparel such as mitts or gloves which are heat and
flame-resistant and which are resistant to cutting and
puncturing.
Another object of the present invention is to provide protective
hand apparel made of composite fabrics to maximize comfort and
dexterity to the wearer while providing protection against heat,
flame, cuts and punctures.
The above and other objects of the present invention will become
apparent from the drawings, the description given herein and the
appended claims.
The heat resistant, protective glove of the present invention is
made up of first and second shell sections which define a palm side
and a backside, respectively, of the glove, the first shell section
being made of a twill weave fabric of a temperature-resistant
aromatic polyamide fiber, the second shell section being made of a
knitted fabric of a temperature-resistant aromatic polyamide fiber.
The first and second shell sections are secured to one another,
e.g. by sewing, to provide the desired glove configuration and an
opening for insertion of the wearer's hand. The protective glove
also includes a first liner section which is secured to and
overlies the inner surface of the first shell section, the first
liner section being comprised of a felt fabric of a
temperature-resistant aromatic polyamide fiber and having a flame
resistant, elastomeric coating on the surface facing and overlying
the inner surface of first shell section. There is also provided a
second liner section inwardly of the second shell section and
generally overlying the inner surface of the second shell section,
the second liner section comprising a felt fabric of a temperature
resistant aromatic polyamide fiber. The first and second liner
sections are secured and generally conform to the configuration of
the first and second shell sections, respectively, to form the
glove. Optionally, but preferably, the glove is provided with a
generally tubular wristlet of a knitted fabric of a
temperature-resistant aromatic polyamide fiber, one end of the
wristlet being secured to the first and second shell sections in
generally encircling relationship to the opening for insertion of
the wearer's hand.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a front, elevational view of a protective glove
constructed in accordance with the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a fragmental sectional view, on an enlarged scale, taken
on the lines 2--2 of FIG. 1.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
The term "glove," as used herein, is intended to mean a
conventional glove, a mitt, a mitten or any similar type wearing
apparel for the hand. Thus, the present invention is directed not
only to gloves provided with individual fingerstalls and a
thumbstall but also hand apparel of the type wherein there are no
individual fingerstalls but a thumbstall or where there are neither
individual fingerstalls nor a thumbstall.
Referring first to FIG. 1, the glove G is seen to have the usual
fingerstalls 12, a thumbstall 14 and wrist cuff or wristlet 16.
FIG. 1 shows the palm side of glove G, the backside not being
shown.
Referring now to FIG. 2, it can be seen that glove G has a first
shell section 18 which generally defines the palm side of glove G
and a second shell section 20 which generally defines the backside
of glove G. First and second shell sections 18 and 20 are adjoined
to one another in a suitable manner, such as by sewing or
stitching, to form a seam 22, seam 22 generally dividing glove G
into the palm side half and the backside half. As will be
recognized, first shell section 18 and second shell section 20 when
secured to one another will provide an opening for insertion of a
wearer's hand, the opening being generally defined by an adjoining
seam 17 between the body of glove G and wristlet 16. First shell
section 18 and second shell section 20 are both comprised of a
fabric of a temperature-resistant aromatic polyamide fiber, a
particularly desirable such fiber being manufactured by the DuPont
Company and sold under the trademark "Kevlar."
First shell section 18, forming the palm side of glove G, has an
inner surface 24 and an outer surface 26 and is preferably
comprised of a tight, twill weave fabric of the polyamide fiber,
the twill weave providing greater wear qualities than other forms
of fabric construction and therefore being more desirable for the
palm side of glove G. Preferably, inner surface 24 of first shell
section 18 is napped, the napped surface enhancing the insulating
ability of first shell section 18. Desirably, the twill weave
fabric of first shell section 18 will have a weight per unit square
area of about 8 oz./sq.yd. Second shell section 20, forming the
backside of glove G, also has an inner surface 28 and an outer
surface 30 but is preferably of knitted construction to provide
stretch for improved dexterity and comfort to the wearer. It is
preferred that the napped side of second shell section 20 also be
on the inner surface 28 of second shell section 20. The knitted
fabric forming second shell section 20 will preferably have a
weight per unit square area of about 7 oz./sq.yd.
Secured to said first shell section inwardly thereof is a first
liner section 32, liner section 32 having first and second surfaces
34 and 36, respectively. The first surface 34 of liner section 32
generally faces and overlies the inner surface 24 of first shell
section 18. In the preferred case, first liner section 32 comprises
a felt fabric of a temperature-resistant aromatic polyamide fiber,
such as Kevlar. The felt fabric of liner section 32 provides both
puncture resistance and thermal insulation. The first surface 34 of
liner 32 has a flame-resistant elastomeric coating 37, coating 37,
accordingly, being disposed between the inner surface 24 of first
shell section 18 and the first surface 34 of first liner section
32. Generally speaking, the elastomeric coating will be from about
4 to about 5 mils in thickness. The elastomeric coating, while
preferably a neoprene elastomer, can be any elastomeric material
which has similar flexibility, and heat and flame-resistant
properties as those of neoprene and which therefore aids in
preventing conductive heat penetration through the palm side of the
glove G.
Glove G is also provided with a second liner section 38 having
first and second surfaces 40 and 42, respectively, the first
surface 40 of second liner section 38 facing and generally
overlying the inner surface 28 of second shell section 20. The
second liner section 38 is, like first liner section 32, generally
formed of a felt fabric of a temperature-resistant aromatic
polyamide fiber such as Kevlar and will preferably have a weight
per unit square area of about 3.5 oz./sq.yd.
It will be appreciated that first and second liner sections 32 and
38 will generally conform to and be secured to first and second
shell sections 18 and 20, respectively, as well as to each other.
This is conveniently done by sewing the shell sections and the
liner sections together along their peripheral edges as at seams 17
and 22, preferably with a temperature-resistant thread such as a
thread made from Kevlar fiber.
Although optional, it is preferable that glove G be provided with a
wristlet 16 which, as will be recognized, will be generally tubular
in configuration, one end of which will be attached to glove G at
seam 17 in generally encircling relation to the opening in glove G
for insertion of the wearer's hand. Wristlet 16 will preferably be
made of a knitted fabric of a temperature-resistant aromatic
polyamide fiber such as Kevlar. The knitted construction of the
wristlet 16 provides somewhat of a flexible seal around the wrist
of the wearer to minimize, to the extent possible, the ingress of
water or other materials into the interior of glove G. Wristlet 16
will generally be about 4" in length although shorter or longer
lengths may be used if desired for special purposes. For example,
lengthening the wristlet 16 will provide better protection to the
lower forearm of the wearer if wristlet 16 is made of a
temperature-resistant fabric such as Kevlar.
It will be appreciated that the various weights of the fabrics used
in the composite glove of the present invention can vary somewhat
depending on the particular application for which the glove is
designed. The weights of the various fabrics noted above appear to
impart excellent properties to the gloves in terms of heat and
flame resistance and resistance to cuts and punctures while still
providing adequate dexterity and comfort for the wearer.
To demonstrate the utility of the gloves of the present invention,
they were subjected to appropriate NIOSH test procedures. The
results are shown in the table below.
TABLE ______________________________________ Performance NIOSH*
Test NIOSH Criteria Rating ______________________________________
Cut Resistance No surface cut @ 16 lbs Pass Puncture Resistance
13.2 lbs minimum 23 lbs Resistance to Conductive Not to exceed
injury 4.6 sec Heat Penetration threshold temperature for 5 seconds
Resistance to Radiant Not to exceed injury 1/2-1 min Heat
Penetration threshold temperature for 10 minutes Resistance to
Flame After-flame <2 sec Pass After-glow <2 sec Visible char
<1 in Dexterity Pick up 0.20 in dia- Pass meter .times. 1.6 in
long steel pin between thumb and each finger
______________________________________ *National Institute for
Occupational Safety and Health
As the results in the table above show, the composite gloves of the
present invention are ideally suited for use as fire fighters'
gloves. It will also be recognized that the gloves are equally
suited for uses by other workers such as foundry workers and the
like whose hands are subjected to excessive temperatures and may
come in contact with objects or work pieces than can puncture or
cut the hand of the wearer.
The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles
of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes
will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired
to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation
shown and described, and accordingly all suitable modifications and
equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the
invention.
* * * * *